A CHRISTCHURCH man who assaulted a woman and abducted a child in Bournemouth has been jailed.

Matthew Alan Burke was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court after pleading guilty to offences of kidnap, two counts of breaching a non-molestation order, assault and assault of an emergency worker.

The 41-year-old was sentenced to three years and six months in prison for the offences, as well as being made subject to a restraining order.

At around 6.45am on Monday, July 3 last year, a woman who was known to the defendant – and had a non-molestation order in place against Burke – was walking in Sea Road in Boscombe with a two-year-old child in a pushchair.

Burke approached and punched the woman before picking up the child and making off on a push bike.

Officers responded and Burke was located at around 9.20am, initially trying to make off from officers, with the child.

Burke was stopped and arrested, with the child unharmed.

Then, at around 6.15pm on Friday, August 18, the same female victim was driving in Castle Lane East and stopped at a junction when a car pulled up alongside her.

The defendant got out of the other vehicle and tried to get into the rear of her vehicle.

The woman got out of the car to confront him, at which point it was reported Burke grabbed her phone and threw it across the road.

READ MORE: Poole burglar Justin Chappell jailed for three years
READ MORE: Driver who killed 75-year-old Jill Stevens in New Milton jailed

The victim reported she retrieved it and went to call the police, which led to Burke returning to the other vehicle that then left the scene.

Detective Sergeant Marles, of Bournemouth CID, said: “These incidents involved individuals who were known to each other, with both incidents being witnessed by members of the public.

“We are committed to supporting victims of violent offences and those that are unable to defend themselves, such as those perpetrated against this victim by Matthew Burke.

“We are dedicated to ensuring offenders are held responsible for their actions.”